The Kenny Music Performance Anxiety Inventory–Revised (K-MPAI-R): Validation of the French version

Abstract

This study aimed at validating the psychometric properties of the French version of the 40-item revised Kenny Music Performance Anxiety Inventory (K-MPAI-R). The certified French version was used and answered by 211 student musicians (aged 16–65 years, SD = 9.58) from different music schools and music colleges in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. The K-MPAI-R is based on Barlow’s model of anxiety and was designed to measure performance anxiety in musicians. Through descriptive statistics and confirmatory factor analysis, the correlation matrix and the Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) measure of sampling adequacy and Bartlett’s test of sphericity were performed. The confirmatory factor analysis showed evidence of validity (Cronbach’s α, Factor G = .91) with internal reliabilities going from α = .78 to .86. Nine items present low factor loading (<.30). Given the adequate psychometric properties of the French K-MPAI-R, this instrument is valid and reliable for the measurement of performance anxiety among French-speaking musicians. When accompanying musicians in mental preparation (e.g., psychologists, mental trainer), the total score should be taken as a general information, but factors and their associated lowest items could be interesting to work on pertinent aspects with the musician.

The Kenny Music Performance Anxiety Inventory-Revised (K-MPAI-R): Validation of the Italian version

“…The EFA’s results of the current study showed that some items have been omitted and the remaining ones have been regrouped in five factors. The same number of factors, but not the same factors, has also been found in a previous study of validation of the French version of the scale (Antonini Philippe et al, 2021), and the two first-order factors group under a high-order one obtained with Peruvian professional music students (Chang-Arana et al, 2018). A great variability in factors emerged because in the current study factors were music performance anxiety symptoms, depression and hopelessness, parental support, memory self-efficacy, and generational transmission of anxiety, which are different from the previous study by Antonini Philippe et al (2021) in the Swiss French–speaking context.…”

“…The same number of factors, but not the same factors, has also been found in a previous study of validation of the French version of the scale (Antonini Philippe et al, 2021), and the two first-order factors group under a high-order one obtained with Peruvian professional music students (Chang-Arana et al, 2018). A great variability in factors emerged because in the current study factors were music performance anxiety symptoms, depression and hopelessness, parental support, memory self-efficacy, and generational transmission of anxiety, which are different from the previous study by Antonini Philippe et al (2021) in the Swiss French–speaking context. The following factors emerged in Antonini Philippe et al (2021): proximal somatic and cognitive anxiety, self/other scrutiny and evaluation, psychological vulnerability, confidence in memory, and early parental relationship context.…”

“…Research on MPA has increased over the last years. Several clinics, journals, and conferences have dedicated their efforts to study the psychological and physiological aspects of musical performance (Valentine, 2002); more specifically, the studies that have been carried out so far are mainly focused on the diagnosis (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2015; Kenny, 2011), assessment (Antonini Philippe et al, 2021; Kenny et al, 2004; Osborne et al, 2005; Rocha et al, 2011; Zarza-Alzugaray et al, 2015) prevention (Pfeifer et al, 2020; Spahn, 2015), and treatment (Burin & Osorio, 2017; Hoffman & Hanrahan, 2012; Kenny et al, 2014) of maladaptive performance anxiety, which has a negative impact on the quality of playing and may have significant consequences for musicians’ personal and professional lives (Kaspersen & Götestam, 2002; Kenny, 2011; Matei & Ginsborg, 2017; Paliaukiene et al, 2018; Studer et al, 2011; Wesner et al, 1990).…”

“…With the aim of evaluating the level of MPA, Kenny and colleagues developed in 2004 a 26-item questionnaire, the Kenny Music Performance Anxiety Inventory (K-MPAI), which was further revised and extended into a 40-item version Kenny Music Performance Anxiety Inventory-Revised (K-MPAI-R) (Kenny, 2009). Additionally, different versions of the questionnaire currently exist, such as Brazilian Portuguese (Rocha et al, 2011), French (Antonini Philippe et al, 2021), Spanish (Zarza-Alzugaray et al, 2015), Ukrainian (Ksondzyk, 2020), and Romanian (Faur et al, 2021). A German version of the K-MPAI has also been used in at least two studies but has not yet been validated (Spahn et al, 2016; Wiedemann et al, 2022).…”

“…A German version of the K-MPAI has also been used in at least two studies but has not yet been validated (Spahn et al, 2016; Wiedemann et al, 2022). Results showed that all the translated versions have adequate reliability properties to measure anxiety levels even though there is a diversity of factors retained as well as omitted items (Antonini Philippe et al, 2021). The recent development of K-MPAI validations in different languages shows a growing interest in research on music performance anxiety.…”